MARITIME SOLUTIONS FOR A CHANGING WORLD #153 - WINTER 2018

SPILLAGE ESTIMATOR

MODELLING
A ROTATING
CUTTER HEAD’S GRASS-ROOTS SAFETY
Keeping safety as a top priority
to weed out potential risks

SPILLAGE SUSTAINABLE DREDGING

Building value-added marine
infrastructure with proven
processes
HIGHLIGHT

SPILLAGE ESTIMATOR

MODELLING
A ROTATING
CUTTER HEAD’S
SPILLAGE

Depending on its size and installed power, a Cutter Suction

Dredger (CSD) is capable of cutting silts, clays and fractured or
solid rocks. Due to their high precision, CSDs can be utilised for
a variety of tasks including navigational channel deepening, port
construction and pipeline trenching among others. But despite
being considered relatively efficient, CSDs can spill significantly
and from simultaneous sources.

A team of authors from Delft University of Technology and Great

Lakes Dredge & Dock classifies the concurrent sources of CSD
spillage as well as identify model parameters to estimate sand
spillage within a 5 percentage point bandwidth of the experimental
data. A dimensionless velocity ratio proposed by Steinbusch et
al. (1999) and Dekker et al. (2003) is adapted as a governing
number for model calibration, and experimental data for sand from
Miltenburg (1983) and rock from Den Burger (2003) is used.

The result is a analytical model for a priori computation of

spillage due to high rotational velocity-induced flow.
Read more on page 22.

2 TERRA ET AQUA
 Photo © Brian Lee of Woolly
Mammoth Photography & Design

#153 - WINTER 2018 3

 CONTENTS
06
SAFETY
What happens when
individuals step up safety
during dredging activities?
By viewing routine processes and situations
through a continuous lens of safety,
individuals can help make operational
processes on water or land safer. Eight
solutions nominated for IADC’s Safety Award
demonstrate the benefit of this approach.
00
4 TERRA ET AQUA
EQUIPMENT
Are the days of the
double-walled pump
housing numbered?
For several decades, the preferred solution for
isolating dredging pumps within a vessel has
been double-walled pump housing. To bypass
16 this housing type’s intrinsic problems, Damen
formulated an alternative.
22
TECHNICAL
Can a preliminary model describe CSD spillage
due to centrifugal advection?
Depending on its size and installed power, a Cutter Suction Dredger
is capable of cutting a wide range of soil types. Although precise and
relatively efficient, a CSD can spill significantly. The authors propose a
preliminary model which describes spillage due to centrifugal advection.
38 41
EVENTS BOOK REVIEW
Network to exchange Dredging for Sustainable
knowledge Infrastructure
Battelle’s conference on CEDA and IADC’s recently-launched
contaminated sediment settles in publication promotes value-added projects
New Orleans and WODCON XXII by conveying an understanding of natural
brings the global dredging industry to and socio-economic systems, and proactive
Shanghai. stakeholder engagement.
EDITORIAL

WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE

MARINE
INFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABLE?
It takes a commitment from many key players to make
sustainable marine infrastructure a reality. If clients,
contractors and stakeholders make choices which
support this commitment, then water infrastructure
can be sustainable.
There are many decisions to be made during a marine
infrastructure project, and each one leads the project
down a different path. And not all paths lead the project
to a sustainable destination.
We hope Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure
becomes your path to a sustainable future. Read a
review of the book in the following pages.
This issue also sheds light on the safety innovations
nominated for the Safety Award 2018 – including
the winning innovation – as well as an optimised
alternative to double-walled pump housing and
a preliminary model of soil spillage from Cutter
Suction Dredgers.

There has been a gap in literature surrounding

Frank Verhoeven sustainability in water infrastructure. Published in
President, IADC 2008, the Environmental Aspects of Dredging is
outdated. Ten years’ worth of innovations have been
put into use across the industry, with monitoring and
data collection along the way to support their success.
This data has expanded the industry’s knowledge
exponentially. Without a centralised interpretation, the
data is useless in shaping future decisions.

A formal update on the subject of sustainability

was long overdue, until now.

IADC and the Central Dredging Association (CEDA) Guided by the

asked highly specialised professionals to dig into their
wealth of accumulated knowledge and combine it into comprehensive volume,
a single publication in the form of a guidebook. Guided
by the comprehensive volume, users will be able to users will be able to realise
realise sustainable infrastructure through the latest
methods and supporting data. sustainable infrastructure
After six years of labour, Dredging for Sustainable through the latest methods
Infrastructure has been officially launched at its
dedicated conference in Amsterdam. The inaugural and supporting data.
copy has been conferred to Dr Hartwig Kremer, head
of the GEMS Water Unit in the Science Division of the
United Nations Environment Programme. Now it is
finally time for you to obtain your copy.

#153 - WINTER 2018 5

SAFETY

WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN INDIVIDUALS
STEP UP SAFETY
DURING DREDGING
ACTIVITIES?

6 TERRA ET AQUA
 The IADC’s
members
are committed
to safeguarding
their employees,
continuously
When individual employees, teams and companies improving to
view everyday processes and situations through a guarantee a safe
continuous lens of safety, they can each contribute
to making all aspects of operational processes, and healthy work
whether on water or land, safer. environment.

Affirming the importance of safety
Dredging activities can be risky operations
with hidden dangers amongst heavy
machinery. In response, the dredging industry
proactively maintains a high level of safety
standards.
IADC is committed to promoting safety in the
industry. A representative of contractors in
the dredging industry, the global organisation
encourages its own members as well as
non-members participating in the global
dredging industry to establish common
their profession. The award is a recognition
of the exceptional safety performance
demonstrated by a particular project, product,
ship, team or employees.
Eight solutions were nominated for IADC’s
Safety Award 2018 and each one aims to
improve routine processes and situations
encountered in the dredging industry.
Square tyres as fenders by
Boskalis
Slips, trips and falls are considered to be
the number one safety risk throughout
the sector. An internal innovation event at
Boskalis identified a situation on vessels
to be unsafe and a solution has been
conceived and implemented.
FIGURE 1

standards and a high level of conduct in their Boskalis’ Magnor

worldwide operations. The IADC’s members backhoe dredger is
are committed to safeguarding their currently equipped
employees, continuously improving with square tyre
to guarantee a safe and healthy work fenders and tyres
environment and reducing the number of are being produced
industry accidents and incidents to zero. for six other backhoe
staircases.
Recognising advancers of safety
The IADC conceived its Safety Award to
encourage the development of safety
skills on the job and reward individuals
and companies demonstrating diligence
in safety awareness in the performance of

#153 - WINTER 2018 7

SAFETY

Regularly round tyres are placed to form
a fender which is intended to protect the
equipment. These fenders can form a risk
during crew transfers. Therefore in an effort
to support the crew and make the transfer
safer, squared tyres have been installed in
Vessel-to-vessel place of conventional round tyres. Complete
with an anti-slip surface, they can be
transfer is the most installed on all sizes of barges or multi-cats.
critical operation Cost effective, the solution is also a
sustainable one since it is easy to apply
for surveyors. and limited resources are needed for
maintenance. As it is a general application,
the solution can easily be used across the
maritime industry, in a context even broader
than dredging.
Boskalis’ Magnor backhoe dredger is
currently equipped with square tyre fenders
and tyres are being produced for six other
backhoe staircases (see Figure 1). Two
sizes are currently available and further
development is being done to make it fit for
purpose for different equipment.
Wireless Broadband Mesh by Jan
De Nul Group
Vessel-to-vessel transfer is the most critical
operation for surveyors. When a vessel’s
survey computers needed to be updated,
surveyors were required to board the vessels
at sea, which is a hazardous and time-
consuming activity. At Jan De Nul Group, a
wireless broadband mesh was implemented
on a project to reduce vessel-to-vessel
transfers of surveyors.
important operational information can be
exchanged smoother with the vessels and
so on.
The ICT department has implemented the
system by request of the survey department
for its own use. Other departments or
operations that see the benefit in this system
can study the possibilities and perform trials
on the projects where the system is already
implemented. By making the system universal,
it will facilitate the implementation of
project-specific requirements.
The system enables faster communication
overall which will lead to more efficient
operations, enabling the Project Management
Team to get feedback faster. In addition
to interconnecting vessels and being a
back-up for communication system failure,
the system provides faster survey updates,
security updates and software patches on
board of vessels with the possibility for remote
troubleshooting and problem-solving. So far,
the wireless broadband mesh has decreased
fuel consumption and transport cost from the
transfers, and increased operational time in
terms of efficiency and productivity through
less survey delays for operations and avoiding
operational standby.
Wireless Broadband Mesh has an initial
installation cost, and fine-tuning is necessary,
but the benefits transcend the initial cost by
far. Further experience and development is
necessary in order to continue improving the
system.

After implementation on several projects, Mooring ropes handles by DEME

FIGURE 2
Wireless broadband mesh reduced the need
for vessel-to-vessel transfers of surveyors,
increasing both safety and efficiency.
the system revealed to be more efficient
than initially foreseen. Not only had the
vessel-to-vessel transfer of surveyors
been reduced drastically (see Figure 2),
the survey updates could also occur faster
and without delays, resulting in more
operational efficiency. A part of improving
efficiency also resulted in reduction of
(fuel) cost and eventually lowering the
environmental impact. The system is a
plug-and-play outdoor Wireless broadband
modem that can be easily interfaced with
the vessels ICT infrastructure. Once the
system is installed on a vessel for survey
purposes, it can be used for a multitude
of purposes as all other departments can
use it for their own needs. ICT can control
and update its network infrastructure,
Mooring activities are one of the activities in
our sector that are considered as a high risk
task. One of our employees came up with the
idea of ‘mooring rope handles’ to make the
handling of mooring ropes easier and safer.
The handles – attached to the mooring eye –
are keeping the hands of the crew member out
of the ‘risk zone’ during (un)mooring activity
(see Figure 3A). These handles are inexpensive
and easy to apply to existing ropes.
The use of those handles reduces the risks of
injuring fingers or hands between the bollards
and ropes activity (see Figure 3B).
Mooring handles could also be a solution for
a more extensive group of users outside the

8 TERRA ET AQUA
 A B
FIGURE 3
Handles attached to a mooring rope intend to keep crew members’ hands away from the risk zone during mooring activities [A] and also eliminate
the need to place hands in between the mooring rope and bollard [B]. Under the umbrella of DEME’s C.H.I.L.D.5 campaign, posters were hung in
headquarters to increase handrail usage and proved to be highly successful [C].
dredging industry. The idea should become a
new safety standard within the industry. We
challenge the suppliers to provide ropes with
pre-attached handles.
Safe on stairs – Use handrails by
DEME
Incident trend analysis indicated some
recurring incidents, with personal injury,
related to the use of staircases on board of
vessels. Also at the offices, staircase incidents
occurred with serious consequences. The
root causes of these incidents brought up
the behavioral aspects and the fact that the
handrails of the staircase at DEME’s main
personnel entrance in Zwijndrecht (Belgium),
were not up to standard.
The question is: how can we persuade our
personnel to give a good example and use
these handrails? The opportunity was taken
to experiment with technical changes of
the handrails and testing the results of the
changes at the same time. The results were
measured by short and simple samples during
the week.
• The first technical change was the
replacement of the original steel
handrails by more comfortable,
wooden alternatives. This resulted
in an immediate usage increase
of 20%.
• Since employees could walk in
the middle of the stairway, without
a handrail within reach, the next
technical change was the installation
of two additional handrails. This led to
an extra improvement of almost 30%.
• After an unexpected decline in use, a
simple poster campaign (see Figure
3C) was launched to introduce the
public to the desired target.
FIGURE 4
Van Oord developed
its automated debris
removal system
in-house.
C
The use of handrails increased up to 75% in
less than a few weeks’ time. Since the start
of the campaign, there have been no stair-
related incidents at head office.
This type of campaign can be extended
to any other site or ship. Before starting
a motivational campaign, however, it is
necessary to check the design of the
staircases and find a technical solution to
accommodate safer staircase use. Technical
solutions can be
• anti-slip treads,
• improved handrails,
• adequate lighting
• and reduced staircase angle where
possible.
Building on the principles of DEME
group’s C.H.I.L.D.5 campaign, the focus on
preventing staircase incidents has resulted
in significant behavioral changes. It evocated
better housekeeping, better maintenance
and safer design (up to the safety standards)
of infrastructure. At the same time the
awareness of the risk of carrying heavy
loads (on stairs) and ergonomics popped up
spontaneously.
Debris Removal Platform by
Van Oord
During dredging, debris can fill the trailing
draghead of trailing suction hopper dredgers.
When the suction pipe is recovered on
board, debris that was stuck in the draghead
will fall onto the deck. To safely be able to
remove this debris, Van Oord developed an
automated debris removal system to reduce
the risk of personal injury (see Figure 4).
#153 - WINTER 2018 9
SAFETY

Van Oord changed the existing technique from

the manual removal of debris to an automated
system, reducing the risk of personal injury
from manual handling and eliminating slips and
trips. A debris removal platform for its fleet of
Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs)
There are infinite has been developed, letting crew safely and
easily remove debris from the deck without
situations which can the use of a broom or shovel. With a hydraulic
drive bulldozer blade, the debris removal
be considered risks platform pushes the debris over the side of a
vessel. Crew can stand-up straight next to the
to safety in dredging platform as the blade pushes the debris. The
debris removal platform has several safety
projects. benefits including the elimination of manual
handling, use of sustainable and safe material,
covered rotating parts, safety railing, no lifting
and rigging operation.

Critical Operations ‘Lock Out, Tag

FIGURE 5
A campaign for the critical operation ‘Lock Out,
Tag Out’ (LOTO) included constant reminders
in the form of posters.
Out’ by Jan De Nul Group
There are infinite situations which can be
considered risks to safety in dredging projects.
That’s why Jan De Nul introduced a critical
operations campaign to increase awareness
around the most serious risks which have
historically resulted in the worst incidents.
These are identified as working at height, lifting
operations, tasks requiring lock out and tag
out, site traffic, defining no-go areas, marine
navigational awareness and marine transfer of
personnel.
Specifically, the critical operation ‘Lock Out,
Tag Out’ (LOTO) contributes to safety in the
sector as it is a control measure present
industry-wide. Jan De Nul’s critical operation
LOTO campaign was approached from an
operational point of view. The campaign aimed
to be interesting to crew normally involved
in LOTO operations and for this reason, the
people involved in LOTO are presenting it in
the video.
While the technique of doing LOTO is not new,
the way it is communicated to the dredging
projects and vessels is. The engine room
departments of all vessels wrote vessel-
specific LOTO manuals detailing which
isolations are required for the different jobs on
board.
A usual day on board of a dredging vessel was
filmed, documenting the actual crew which
successfully applied isolation according to
the LOTO standard. The movie followed Jan
De Nul’s Imagine, Think, Act (ITA) framework:
imagine what should and should not happen,
think of a plan and communicate with the team,
and act by leading the plan. The movie was
then sent to all dredging projects and vessels,
and was shared on the ITA website (https://ita.
jandenul.com) and Jan De Nul’s social media
accounts. Constant reminders were issued
in the form of posters (see Figure 5) and the
backgrounds of all of JDN’s computer login
screens. Elaborate training packages were also
sent to all projects and vessels to increase
knowledge of the LOTO procedure.
Through advance preparation of ship-specific
LOTO manuals to describe which operations
require which LOTO, and then through sharing
of this material, awareness and safety can be
increased. The risk of working on equipment
is a common issue therefore applying this
approach can benefit the industry.
DynaCover by Damen Dredging
Equipment
Dredge pumps experience extreme forces
during operation, requiring a robust piece of
equipment to combat them. Failure of this
connection can impact a project’s efficiency

10 TERRA ET AQUA

or in the worst case, crew. The advent of
the double-walled pump improved safety
and reliability, marking a major step forward
compared to the formerly prevalent sheet
steel pump casings. The wear-resistant casted
pump casing was covered by a sheet metal
outer casing which prevented the spilling of
mixture while the inner pump house could be
used until it disintegrated.
An alternative by Damen Dredging Equipment,
the DynaCover, was fabricated and tested
at full-scale. Holes were made in the inlet
pipe, so when the pump was filled up, water
flooded between the inner pump casing and
the DynaCover. By doing so, the inner and
outer pressure of the pump casing is the same,
preventing the inner casing from collapsing.
The DynaCover is made from Dyneema,
a material used for products such as
cut-resistant gloves. With fibers produced
from a polyethylene with a very high molecular
weight, the material is lightweight, strong,
durable and resistant against UV light, oil and
sea water. An easily-applied outer cover of
Nomex – a flame-resistant material worn by
FIGURE 6
An easily-applied
outer cover of
Nomex protects
the DynaCover
from welding
sparks and dirt.
FIGURE 7
Jan De Nul Group’s movie We Are ITA is part
of Imagine Think Act, a company-wide
programme which aims to change culture
from an operational perspective.
support comes from the top of the company.
To put theory into practice, a challenge was
introduced to vessels and projects worldwide,
and teams challenged each other to show ITA
on their vessel/project.
Some of the ingredients of ITA are a leadership
expectations matrix, a process to provide
feedback on risk management and level of
operational control (Field Risk Talk (FRT)), a
focus on critical operations, combined with a
Stop and Rethink attitude when something
firefighters and racing drivers – protects the doesn’t go according to plan, and a culture
DynaCover from welding sparks and dirt (see model to grow more operational control.
Figure 6).
We Are ITA by Jan De Nul Group
During the course of a project, attention and
priorities can shift, but one thing is certain: A company-wide
safety results from successful projects and
vice versa. Jan De Nul Group acknowledges programme, ITA’s
that proper preparation and keeping control
makes all the difference in ensuring a strategy is to
successful project. That’s why the company
conceived ‘Imagine Think Act’ (ITA) which has a approach culture
dedicated website (https://ita.jandenul.com/),
a We Are ITA movie (see Figure 7) and regular from an operational
newsletter messages to employees.
point of view and not
A company-wide programme, ITA’s strategy
is to approach culture from an operational as a safety culture.
point of view and not as a safety culture. The
system is self-sustaining as long as company
leadership give attention to ITA as it is about
how leadership is realised, risks are handled
and mistakes are responded to. ITA should
become part of the language that all levels
speak, and through this language a culture
is formed, especially since direction and
#153 - WINTER 2018 11
 SAFETY

CAN A PLATFORM
REDUCE RISK
OF PERSONAL INJURY
DURING DEBRIS
REMOVAL?

12 TERRA ET AQUA

To safely remove debris that will fall onto the deck
after recovering the draghead of a trailing suction
hopper dredger, Van Oord has developed an
automated debris removal system. IADC rewarded
Van Oord’s innovation with the IADC Safety
Award 2018 during its Annual General Meeting in
Budapest, Hungary.
‘Learning from the past and incorporating
practical experience from the field is an
important part of the research into possible
improvements,’ proud award-winner Coen van
den Berg hits off. He is a Project Engineer
currently working on Van Oord’s new trailing
suction hopper dredger Vox Amalia. ‘For every
new design, we take a critical look at how
we can improve safety and functionality,’ he
continues. At the start of the project, the
team received the request to see if they could
improve the way of removing debris from
underneath the draghead.
In-house development
Improving the working environment is
important to Van Oord. That is why its
fleet is continuously being updated to the
highest standards in close cooperation with
specialists within Van Oord, such as those
who are heavily involved in the building
process. These professionals are always
looking for new ways to innovate. That is
why, during the design phase of new trailing
suction hopper dredgers Vox Amalia and Vox
Alexia, the design team focused on making
these brand-new vessels even more safe and
energy efficient.
The inspiration
During dredging, debris can fill the trailing
draghead of a trailing suction hopper dredger.
When the suction pipe is brought back on
board, debris that was trapped in the draghead
will then fall onto the deck. This debris can
range from large boulders to sticky clay and
needs to be removed from the vessel. On
large trailing suction hopper dredgers, this is
traditionally done with a tilting platform (see
Figure 1). A simple platform with hinges on the
hull side and lifting pad eyes on the other end.
By lifting one end with the crane or draghead,
the accumulated debris can be transported
overboard.
‘There are two main operational downsides
to this system,’ Coen clarifies. ‘You cannot
use the tilting platform with the trailing
During dredging,
debris can fill the
trailing draghead
of a trailing suction
hopper dredger.
pipe in its storage position, because it will
be blocked by the draghead. The second
issue arises from the use of the crane to
move the tilting platform. In the past, we’ve
experienced that the use of the crane
while sailing offshore was not allowed by
the client. This meant that we could not
move the debris overboard as usual.’ To find
a suitable solution, which would improve
operational efficiency, the engineering team
joined forces with the vessel crew. They
considered several concepts and carried out
a short feasibility study. It was soon decided
that the use of a dozer blade would provide
the best solution.
FIGURE 1
On large trailing suction hopper
dredgers, a tilting platform is
traditionally used to throw debris
overboard.
#153 - WINTER 2018 13
SAFETY
During a ceremony at the Annual General Meeting in
Budapest, Hungary, Van Oord’s Debris Removal Platform was
revealed as the Safety Award 2018 winner. IADC President
Frank Verhoeven (left) conferred the award to Coen van den
Berg (right) on behalf of Van Oord.
The mission
‘Our mission? To create a safe, effective and
fool-proof solution to move a dozer blade on
deck,’ Coen explains enthusiastically. ‘It was
great to work on the design and build of this
Debris Removal Platform, as the dredging
industry is normally quite traditional.
Suction pipe equipment has largely
remained unchanged for years. To innovate
an established working method was a nice
project for us. I was happy to experience that
Van Oord gave us all the freedom to execute
this in the best way possible.’
The challenge
Designing the ultimate solution was not a
clear-cut process. The team faced various
challenges. There is little height underneath
the draghead and deck space is also limited.
On top of this, the space underneath the
draghead is one of the worst environments
to place a machine, because of the seawater
and debris falling from the draghead. The
drive system therefore had to be robust and
had to cope well with dirt. Because of the lack
of space, the drive mechanism for the dozer
blade was moved to the sides. A chain drive
was chosen as it is robust and has a high dirt
tolerance.
Safety was an integral component of the
process. The requirement was that it has to be
safe to operate the dozer. As work is carried
14 TERRA ET AQUA
Do you know about a safety solution
worthy of recognition? Then submit it for
consideration for the Safety Award 2019!
Find out how to submit nominations at
www.iadc-dredging.com.
out on the draghead on a regular basis, the
platform also had to act as a stable and safe
working platform for the crew. After several
iterations in the design phase, the Debris
Removal Platform was born.
The design
The Debris Removal Platform consists of
a dozer blade that runs on rails with bogies
(chassis carrying wheelsets) on either side
of the platform. The rails are combined with
a steel frame that keeps the working deck
in place (see Figure 2). When the suction
pipe is brought back on board, debris that
was trapped in the draghead will fall onto
A B
FIGURE 2
Debris falls onto a working deck consisting of a dozer blade which runs on rails with
bogies [A]. A rail surrounds the working deck to keep it in place [B].
this working deck. After the vessel crew has
taken out materials such as plastic, scrap,
car tyres, etc., the Debris Removal Platform
– powered by a hydraulically-driven dozer
blade – pushes the debris over the side of
the vessel.
Drive mechanism
The blade moves with the help of a chain
drive on either side with a standard steel
chain running between them. The chain
drives are both mounted on a single shaft,
which is connected to an hydraulic motor
with reduction gear. This means there is no
need for hydraulic synchronous control.
Hydraulic power comes from the main
hydraulic system on board, but can also be
delivered by a standalone power pack if the
installation is retro fitted. The dozer blade
is fixed to the chain. Once the motor starts
running, the chain pulls the dozer blade
forward. When the motor rotation direction
is reversed, the blade will move backward.
This system is simple, needs minimal control
and is dirt resistant. The rotating parts are all
covered with stainless steel plates and the
chain is guided in Teflon blocks. The blade
can be sea fastened with pins in the inboard
position. The blade itself is fitted with wear
resistant plates that can be replaced. In the
component choice, Van Oord used standard
parts for the wheels, bearing houses and
couplings.
KLP® working deck
A material with high impact resistance was
required for the working deck, as large boulders
can fall from the draghead. Moreover, as vessel
crew often have to carry out maintenance
activities underneath the draghead, the
working deck needed to be safe and stable.
The design team set out to find a better
material than the standard hardwood and
selected sustainable KLP® plastic material.
This is made out of recycled bottle caps, crates
and agricultural plastics, has a high impact
resistance and provides more grip when wet.
Safe operation
The blade is operated from a local control
cabinet next to the installation. When the
operator starts the movement of the blade,
an audible and visual alarm sounds to inform
people around the platform that it is starting
to move. Continuous actuation of the button
Safety Benefits of Van Oord’s
Debris Removal Platform
Elimination of manual handling
No manual handling with brooms and
shovels is required. No pulling or pushing
has to be done in an uncomfortable or
awkward position. There is limited height
under a draghead, so crew are currently
working in a location that is difficult to
access. They also need to bend and push or
pull at the same time. These two activities
together create a high risk probability that
a manual handling injury will result. This will
all be eliminated by installing this platform.
The person involved can stand up straight
next to the platform and the blade pushes
the debris instead of the person doing this
manually.
Sustainable and safe material used
For the working deck, sustainable KLP®
plastic material (recycled bottle caps,
crates and agricultural plastics) is used.
Besides providing a sustainable alternative
to a wooden working deck, this material has
a better impact resistance and provides
is necessary for movement of the blade. If
the operator takes his hand of the button, the
blade will stop moving (dead man button).
Safety stops
A railing is installed around the platform.
When the access gate is opened, the blade
will automatically stop (interlock system).
The blade also stops automatically on the
maximum inboard and outboard positions by
means of proximity switches. An additional
mechanical end-stop in combination with
hydraulic pressure valves serves as a
backup end-stop. As a last option to stop
the movement of the blade, the local control
cabinet is fitted with an emergency stop.
Say yes to safety
The Debris Removal Platform will first be
installed on trailing suction hopper dredger
Vox Amalia, the latest addition to Van Oord’s
more grip when wet. When
working in an area with mud
and water, the risk of slipping
is high. By using this type of
material, the probability of a
person slipping or falling is low.
Rotating parts covered
All rotating parts are covered to prevent
entanglement with clothing or hands, etc.
Safe railing
The unit has its own railing with self-closing
doors, which are fitted with an interlock
system, and movement stops when the
doors are opened.
No lifting and rigging operation
Compared with existing tilting platforms, no
lifting or rigging operations with a crane are
required to move the platform so that the
debris can be deposited overboard.
fleet. It will be installed on all other trailing
suction hopper dredgers as well at a later
date. ‘With the installation of the Debris
Removal Platform, we have improved
the working circumstances around the
draghead and are one step closer towards
a zero-accident organisation,’ concludes
Ton van de Minkelis, Staff Director QHSE. ‘By
taking safety into consideration in the design
phase, hazardous working conditions during
operations can be eliminated or significantly
reduced. This is the most effective way of
risk control. Working together proactively on
safety with all disciplines is very important.
As a global player in the marine contracting
sector, safety is our license to operate. Within
our “Say YES to safety” programme, we
encourage everyone to demonstrate safety
leadership. Continuously improving our
working environment by using our ingenuity
is a natural part of that!’
The Debris Removal
Platform consists
of a dozer blade that
runs on rails with
bogies (chassis
carrying wheelsets)
on either side of the
platform.
#153 - WINTER 2018 15
EQUIPMENT

ARE THE DAYS OF THE

DOUBLE-WALLED
PUMP HOUSING

NUMBERED?
16 TERRA ET AQUA
 A few tonnes less
payload may sound
insignificant, but
For several decades, the preferred solution for over the course
isolating dredging pumps within a vessel has of year this adds
been the double-walled pump housing. While an
improvement in both safety and reliability compared up to a substantial
to the previous use of single-walled pumps, it still loss of capacity.
has two significant problems: it requires the pump
to be raised to accommodate the casing, which has
a negative impact on pump efficiency, and it adds
considerably more weight to the pump assembly.

This extra weight reduces the additional pump housing in place the cast pump could However, the conventional double-walled
payload that the dredger can take and safely be operated until it reached the end pump house did come with a number of
over the years can represent a significant of its life and disintegrated. disadvantages. Firstly, all that steel is heavy,
loss of capacity. To address this Damen
has been conducting an extensive
research project in partnership with its
customers and materials specialists to
develop a solution that can overcome
these issues. The result is now available
commercially and will no doubt surprise
many as it is radically different to what has
gone before.

A demand for greater efficiency

The double-walled pump housing was
introduced in the early 1970s by De Groot
Nijkerk (see Figure 1). The design is made up
of an outer housing in fabricated structural
steel fitted around the cast inner pump
housing. The steel outer casing protects
the external environment in the event that
the cast inner housing, which ensures that
the pump has sufficient wear resistance,
fails. The double-walled pump housing
was a great improvement, significantly
increasing both the safety and durability of FIGURE 1

the dredge pump. With the double-walled In the early 1970s, De Groot Nijkerk introduced double-walled pump housing.

#153 - WINTER 2018 17

EQUIPMENT

and the extra weight comes with the cost of FIGURE 2

reducing the final payload that the trailing In the early 1970s,
4
suction hopper dredger can carry before De Groot Nijkerk
3.5
having to cease operations and move away HPPE introduced
to offload. A few tonnes less payload may 3
double-walled

Strength based on weight

Dyneema 400
sound insignificant, but over the course of 2.5 pump housing.
Aramid
year this adds up to a substantial loss of 2

capacity. Also, with its double-wall housing, 1.5

Carbon Aramid 235
Carbon fibre 195
the pump requires more space, which is 1 Polyamide Ceramic
Boron

a particular issue with Cutter Suction Polyester

Glass
Polyester/Nylon
135
85
0.5
Dredgers (CSDs), and results in the pump Polypropene Steel
0 Steel 25
being raised to a greater height than would
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
otherwise be the case. With the core of Strength based on volume Theoretical length at which a rope
the pump now closer to the surface of the breaks under its own weight [km]

water the suction efficiency of the pump is

reduced, negatively affecting the production
rate of the dredger.

A new approach
As the Damen team reviewed the issues
arising from the standard steel double-walled
pump housing, it was quickly realised that an
effective solution would need a number of key
attributes. It would need to be:
• Lightweight
• Easily accessible to allow the
replacement of parts subject to wear
• Water tight up to 20 atmospheres The first stage was to determine the material
• Safe and reliable to be used for the new casing. In particular,
• Hard wearing it had to be strong and durable, yet also
• Easy to retrofit lightweight. It also had to be resistant against
seawater, sunlight (UV), chemicals and micro-
To meet these requirements, the team organisms. Initial candidates were the textiles
launched an extensive research project in Twaron/Kevlar and Dyneema, both of which
association with a number of industry and offered the necessary high-tensile strength.
research partners. However Dyneema emerged the winner due

Why is the height difference

between the waterline and
the pump significant?
A pump doesn’t really suck in the sense that it creates a partial
vacuum into which water flows. It actually just moves water using an impeller.
As the water moves, the pressure in the inlet pipe drops due to the resistance
of the suction pipe. The pump itself also needs some pressure, plus a margin.
The outside pressure (atmosphere and water above the pump) pushes on
the water inside the suction pipe (which has a lower pressure). The maximum
suction pressure is therefore limited. When a pump is positioned at the waterline,
the maximum pressure available is only 1 bar (atmospheric pressure). For
the pressure drop of the suction pipe in general only 0.6 bar is available. An
additional metre of water increases this by 0.1 bar (17%), so even raising the pump
by only 0.5m results in a loss of suction capability of almost 10%.

18 TERRA ET AQUA
to its ability to meet all the other criteria (see
Figure 2).
Dyneema is a  UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular
weight Polyethylene) fibre that has a yield
strength as high as 2.4 GPa (240 kg/mm2 or
350,000 psi), making it comparable to high-
strength steel. However it has a strength-to-
weight ratio eight times that of high-strength
steels. It was invented by Albert Pennings in
1963 but became commercially available in
1990.
Dyneema fibres also have a very high
molecular weight which makes them
lightweight, strong and durable, as well as
resistant to ultraviolet light, oil and seawater.
As a textile, Dyneema is also proven when it
comes to high stress environments. Current
uses include body armour, cut-resistant
gloves and various aerospace applications.
Calculations were performed to determine
the number of layers that would be required to
meet the pressure goal of 20 atmospheres.
With that decision made, the next step for the
team was to create a textile casing with an
opening through which technicians could gain
access to the pump within for maintenance
and the replacement of worn-out parts. The
challenge here lay in the fact that the entire
textile ‘shell’ had to be fabricated as a single
piece to guarantee its strength. Zips and
other fasteners would compromise the shell’s
integrity.
With the case clamped to the inner pump
housing, folds in the shell of textile were
introduced so that the opening could be
enlarged. This in turn launched a search for
a solution that would ensure that the line of
connection to the pump would be watertight.
Making it 100% watertight
Ensuring that the entire housing was
watertight was a consistent theme throughout
the project. Dyneema itself is not completely
waterproof. Over time water will make its ways
through the weaving, however this was easily
solved by incorporating a layer of plastic film
between the layers of Dyneema that make
up the overall fabric. The plastic film selected
is very elastic and does not fail under high
pressure. The fabric is produced to very tight
tolerances, using a special drum developed for
this process plus a special, heated press for
gluing the layers together.
FIGURE 3
The connection to the pump is
comprised of textile with a rim
B [A], the clamp [B] and the base
plate inner pump casting [C].
A
C
The second challenge was to connect the The newly-developed clamps are fabricated
textile to the steel of the pump in such a using the lost-wax casting process (see Figure
way that it is completely watertight and yet 4A). They were engineered using finite element
still easy to handle. The solution involved calculations and are optimised for weight at
attaching a rim around the edge of the textile just three kilos a piece, making handling easy
that could then be clamped to the pump’s (see Figure 4B). The result is a pleasingly
steelwork (see Figure 3). The design of organic-looking design and they can be fitted
the clamps was vital to the success to the on any pump type and size. The Dyneema shell
Dynacover product and much effort went is also lightweight and easily carried by one
into their design and testing.
The key challenge was to reconcile the
need for complete water resistance with
that of the need for folds in the fabric that
allow the opening to be enlarged for easy
access to the wear parts. Fortunately a
useful property of Dyneema is that, by simply
pressing the folds down using a wedge, they
become completely watertight. Subsequent As a textile, Dyneema
testing demonstrated that this can be done
hundreds of times without damaging the is also proven when it
textile. A range of weavings and clamps were
tested, starting with a simple clamp and then comes to high stress
moving through different formats until a
clamp which met the specified requirement environments.
of being watertight to 25 atmospheres was
found.
A B
FIGURE 4
The Dynacover’s clamps are fabricated with a lost-wax casting process [A] and
weigh only three kilos each which enables easy handling [B].
#153 - WINTER 2018 19
EQUIPMENT

Benefits for both CSDs

and TSHDs
With CSDs generally compact vessels of limited space and shallow
draft, making it not possible to position the dredge pump much below
the waterline. Raising it so as to fit a double-walled pump housing only
FIGURE 5 reduces the pump efficiency even further. With the pump often mounted
The outer cover is partly removed to inside the engine room, if it does suffer a major leakage then the risk is
show the clamps. that the entire engine room is flooded, causing significant damage to the
engines and electronics. The Dynacover is therefore ideal for use in these
circumstances.

man. Its initial installation and all subsequent
openings for inspections can therefore be
done without hoisting tools. Indeed, the only
tool needed is a wrench.
The final test
For the full-size water test, the inner pump
housing was sealed off using flanges, but
a connection was made between the inner
space of the inner pump housing and the outer
Dynacover pump (see Figure 5) housing to
allow the pressure to equalise between the
two. This was done to prevent the inner pump
casing from collapsing under the high external
pressure. The casing was then filled with tap
water and then, once all the air was removed
and replaced by water, the high-pressure pump
was connected and activated. The Dynacover
was pressurised up to 20 atmospheres, at
which point some minor leakage occurred.
This test resulted in the design of the flexible
housing undergoing an improvement in
which the biggest fold was reduced in size
by cutting the textile and gluing the fabric
together again. A final, full-size water test
proved the effectiveness of the modification
A includes a 6-parted clamp [A],
D clamps at the pump cover [D]
B and a wedge for folds [E].
Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers are generally much larger, with the dredge
pump mounted well below the waterline in a dedicated pump room. Damage
from flooding is therefore not
an issue, however the weight
of the double-walled housing
is, and its replacement with a
Dynacover makes the vessel
more efficient through the
ability to carry additional
payload.
at eliminating the leakage. It also ultimately
resulted in the reduction of the height of the
clamps (see Figure 6).
A new era for pump housing
The introduction of the Dynacover opens
a new chapter in the story of the double-
walled dredge pump. It delivers substantial
advantages over the traditional double-
FIGURE 6
The complete Dynacover
Dyneema [B], pump cover [C],
walled pump, its dramatically reduced weight
and smaller dimensions eliminate the main
disadvantages of the existing concept. Any
CSD – new or old – can be fitted out with the
system, while replacing the traditional steel
double-walled pump housings in trailing
suction hopper dredgers will also allow them
to accommodate greater payloads, thereby
delivering greater fuel economy. All users will
appreciate the safety and environmental gains.
Additional benefits include ease of handling,
fitting and servicing, and cost efficiencies.
Installation on an existing mounting takes
less than four hours. Once again, a Damen
R&D initiative has delivered efficiencies and
performance gains by applying new materials
technologies to old issues.

C E

20 TERRA ET AQUA
 It delivers substantial
advantages over the
traditional double-walled
pump, its dramatically
reduced weight and
smaller dimensions
eliminate the main
disadvantages of the
existing concept.

Summary
For many years the steel double-walled pump housing
has been the preferred solution for isolating dredging
pumps within dredgers so as to minimise damage from
sudden failure and any subsequent leakage. However,
it has significant disadvantages in the form of weight,
space required and loss of pump efficiency. To address
this, Damen initiated a research programme to find an
alternative form of housing that would retain the same
levels of protection but without the negatives. The solution
is the Dynacover, a lightweight, flexible casing made
from Dyneema, a proven ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene fibre, which is fastened to the pump casing
using special clamps. As well as performing to the required
specification in terms of pressure and durability, it also
allows easy access to the pump for maintenance, is easy to
handle and simple to retrofit.
Ewout van Duursen
Ewout studied mechanical Engineering at the
University of Applied Sciences before starting work
at Voith Paper Fabrics Haaksbergen. In 1998 he
joined Damen Dredging Equipment as a sales
engineer. Currently he is working in the Research,
Development and Innovation department. He is
responsible for the general engineering of the
standard range of Cutter Suction Dredgers build by
Damen Shipyards. He introduced the application of
CFD of dredge pumps and is involved with several
innovative solutions for Damen Shipyards.

#153 - WINTER 2018 21

TECHNICAL

CAN A PRELIMINARY
MODEL DESCRIBE

CSD SPILLAGE
DUE TO CENTRIFUGAL
ADVECTION? Photo © Robert Collaro

22 TERRA ET AQUA
Depending on its size and installed power, a Cutter
Suction Dredger (CSD) is capable of cutting a wide
range of soil types from silts and clays to fractured or
solid rocks. Its high precision allows for utilisation in
a variety of dredge operations including navigational To compensate for
channel deepening, port construction and pipeline reduced depth due
trenching. In spite of being considered relatively
efficient, a CSD can spill significantly. This article to spillage, CSD
proposes a classification of the concurrent sources operators resort to
of CSD spillage as well as a analytical model for a ‘overdepth cutting’
priori computation of spillage due to high rotational
velocity-induced flow. As of yet, in literature, no which entails cutting
analytical models exist that describe spillage due to more material than
centrifugal advection. theoretically required.

Introduction
Den Burger (2003) defines spillage as ‘the
soil that is cut during the dredging process,
but is not sucked up by the suction pipe’. This
article approaches spillage as perceived by the
dredging industry and defines spillage as ‘any
soil that may be dislodged above the lowest
cutter tip trajectory, but is not sucked into
the suction pipe’. In contrast to Den Burger’s
definition, this includes any soil in the vicinity
of the cutter and above the cutter profile,
which may not directly be in contact with the
cutting equipment.
A CSD is equipped with a rotating cutter head
that is mounted in front of a suction mouth. A
hoistable ladder carries the installation and
along with a set of swing winches, provides
sufficient weight and force to laterally
maneuver the rotating cutter head through the
soil. When the swing velocity and the tangential
velocity at the top of the cutter align, a scenario
arises that is referred to as ‘over-cutting’ (back
swinging), while opposing vectors render an
‘under-cutting’ (dig swinging) scenario. See
Figure 1 for a visual representation of these
scenarios where vs is the swing velocity and ω
the rotational (angular) velocity. Typically, the
axisymmetrical cutter head consists of 5 or 6
blades with a series of (staggered) teeth that
mechanically cut and suspend bank material
in order to be sucked up by the suction mouth.
According to Den Burger, spillage can be
attributed to the cutting process as well as the
mixture forming process.
To compensate for reduced depth due to
spillage, CSD operators resort to ‘overdepth
cutting’ which entails cutting more material
than theoretically required. In stiff or hard
material, overcutting results in energy overuse,
reduced efficiency and greater wear. In areas
where the cut depth is restricted, spillage
limits the borrow area yield or requires costly
cleanup to leave grade.
In the water column, plumes resulting from
spillage may cause environmental loss as light
reduction and sedimentation affect sensitive
receptors (Becker et al., 2014; Nakai, 1978).
Also, turbidity plumes can reduce oxygen levels
and interfere with fish respiration and feeding.
In addition, the release of adsorbed pesticides,
herbicides, toxic metals and synthetic organic
compounds may contaminate the water
column (Nakai, 1978). Environmental gains
can be expected from the release of nutrients
and the supply of fine sediments to silt rich
habitats (Becker et al., 2014).
As of yet, in literature, no analytical models
exist that describe spillage based on the
suction velocity and the rotational velocity of

#153 - WINTER 2018 23

TECHNICAL

A B

FIGURE 1

Centrifugal advection spillage for over-cutting (A) and under-cutting (B) as found in particle trajectory experiments by Den Burger (2003). Particle
trajectories relevant to high rotational velocities are denoted with numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. A fourth trajectory was neglected at higher velocities.

the cutter. This article presents a preliminary
analytical model for spillage due to high
rotational velocity-induced advection
and calibrates the model using experimental
data taken from Miltenburg (1983) and
Den Burger (2003). As these datasets do
not differentiate between individual spillage
sources, contributions of other spillage
sources are neglected.
Spillage type classification
Six types of spillage sources pertaining to
CSD cutting are identified. A brief overview
of the types of spillage is given, followed by a
detailed discussion of centrifugal advection.
High Rotational Velocity-Induced Advection
High rotational velocity-induced spillage is a
primary spillage source for CSD cutting. In its
axial trajectory towards the suction mouth,
entrained aggregates are accelerated by the
rotational moment of the cutter, resulting in
centrifugal advection along a section of the
cutter contour. Centrifugal advection leads to
a plume in the water column before sediments
redeposits into the bed. Spillage due to
centrifugal advection S1 [-] is most pronounced
with small grain sizes, high rotational

A B

FIGURE 2

Rapid redeposition-induced spillage for over-cutting (A) and under-cutting (B).

24 TERRA ET AQUA

velocities and low mixture velocities. Figure 1
schematically depicts the trajectory of a single
particle for the over- (A) and under-cut (B)
scenario. Although not identical, centrifugal
advection spillage of similar magnitude is
observed for each flow pattern (den Burger,
2003).
Rapid redeposition
The acceleration of suspended material
resulting from the cutting of the blades may be
offset by gravitational acceleration and cause
particles to rapidly redeposit. Spillage from
rapid redeposition S2 [-] is highly dependent
on particle size and rotational velocity. This
can be explained by the higher inertia of larger
particles that are more difficult to suspend.
Industry observations indicate a significantly
lower production rate for over-cutting
scenarios. In over-cutting, the tangential
velocity of a blade in the fore coincides with
the gravitational acceleration and swing
velocity respectively. Dislodged sediment
will therefore accelerate downwards past
the suction zone of influence to redeposit
immediately (see Figure 2A). In under-cutting,
the opposing rotational and gravitational
force vectors result in a particle trajectory
characterised by relatively high suspension
rates and improved mixing in the cutter as
depicted in Figure 2B. Sediment passes
through the suction zone of influence with
lower velocity.
FIGURE 3
Spillage due to
violent cutting for
an undercutting
scenario.
Violent cutting
Violent cutting is a CSD aspect that pertains
to particle suspension and subsequent
transportation to an area beyond reach of
the CSD head. This type of spillage S3 [-] is
most visible when digging rock and cemented
material. As the blades and teeth of the cutter
head penetrate the bank, soil disintegrates in
front of the cutter and some particles will be
lifted due to the rotational motion of the cutter
head as depicted in Figure 3. Furthermore,
a high swing velocity can cause a bulldozing
effect on the bank which lifts and suspends
particles. Particles that redeposit in front of
the cutter may be encountered by the cutter
head again. Particles that settle behind the
cutter contribute to spillage.
Buried cutting
When dredging a bank height that exceeds
the effective height of the cutter head, the
undermined soil will fail and rest onto the
cutter head. Generally, this soil volume will
be entrained into the cutter head, thereby
increasing production. However, the cutter
head may reach saturation or swing too fast,
upon which remaining particles will move past
the cutter head and fall behind the cutter head
as illustrated in Figure 4. Spillage due to buried
cutting S4 [-] is generally determined by the
height of the bank and the swing speed.
Breaching
When the cutter head breaches the bank,
the slope angle of the breach may be
larger than the internal friction angle of
the bank material. With the absence of
capillary forces below the water line, the
steep slope will cause bank instability for
granular materials. Van Rhee et al. (2015)
describes that the bank wall following
a dredger passage can be temporarily
FIGURE 4
Spillage due to
buried cutting for
an under-cutting
scenario.
#153 - WINTER 2018 25
TECHNICAL
steep for sand due to dilatancy-induced
plastic deformation of the breach. Shear
deformation increases the pore volume of
sand and an increased dilatancy causes
an under-pressure in the pores resulting in
an inflow of water. This process temporarily
increases the effective pressure on the
bank, yielding a temporarily stable bank
slope. The slope will collapse when maximum
possible dilatancy is reached.
Figure 5 depicts a situation in which the
bank wall has collapsed after the previous
swing. It can be seen that the newly created
slope extends towards the area that has
already been dredged. Hence, this soil
remains on the seabed and is considered
spillage. Spillage due to bank instability S5 [-]
is mostly dependent on the porosity, particle
size and swing speed.
When the slope angle below a temporary stable
wall is smaller than the existing slope angle,
the breaching process is considered unstable
(van Rhee, 2015). Typically, unstable breaching
occurs at stationary bulk dredging operations
with large bank heights where spillage is less
relevant.
Cutter geometry
Inherent to the geometry of the cutter
head, a relatively small spillage source
S6 [-] can be observed. As the cutter
travels forward in discrete step sizes, a
portion of the soil above the lower cutter
tip depth is undisturbed (see Figure
6). Based on tradeoffs between the
magnitude of inertia and the irregularity
of cut areas, cutter geometry has evolved
26 TERRA ET AQUA
FIGURE 5
Spillage due to bank
instability.
from cylindrically-shaped heads to
parabolically-shaped heads (Vlasblom et
al., 2006).
Other factors: vessel movement and
survey disparity
Operations in ports, canals, rivers and
offshore locations make the CSD subject
to a variety of environmental conditions.
Translational and rotational vessel
movements (mainly surge, heave and pitch)
result in unexpected cutter head movements.
Furthermore, soil type estimations and
bathymetry measurements are complex
and prone to errors. The effect of vessel
movement and erroneous estimations are
inherently difficult to measure directly, and
can magnify other spillage sources.
Existing models for spillage
The three-dimensional nature and complex
geometry of the cutter head, combined
with the difficulty of accurately quantifying
spillage types, encumber CSD spillage
modeling and validation. Additionally,
observations from experiments and empirical
models are subject to scaling difficulties. The
mechanical excavation of the cutter scales
according to Froude’s number since inertial
and gravitational forces are governing.
However, the suction mouth process is
characterised by dominant inertial and
viscous forces, rendering Reynolds scaling
most appropriate. When gravity and viscosity
dominate, the model becomes highly
sensitive to the viscosity and density (Slotta,
1978).
Empirical models
Industry practices commonly estimate
spillage by linearly scaling the total amount
of fines subject to dislodgement by an
empirically-derived coefficient as evidenced
by equation (1) (Becker et al., 2014). This
expression presumes that a certain fraction
of fines is representative or in its entirety
responsible for spillage due to centrifugal
advection.
FIGURE 6
Spillage due to
cutter geometry and
step size.
 ��� � ��� �� ����� ������ regression analysis based on the Buckingham
(1)
Where meq is the total cutter head related mass
of fines (dry solids) brought into suspension
[kg], σeq is an empirical source term fraction
associated with cutter head spillage [-], ρd is
the dry solids density [kg/m3], Vsitu is the in situ
dredge volume [m3] and f<63μm is the fraction
of fines smaller than 63 μm [-]. The fraction
of fines during the dredge operation may
increase due to degradation (Ngan-Tillard et
al, 2009). Empirical source term fractions are
typically proprietary data.
Regression analyses
Joanknecht (1976) found empirical relations
for dimensionless similitude criteria obtained
from experimental data for a cylindrical
cutter head. It was observed that Froude
scaling complemented with the ratio of the
terminal velocity and the mixture velocity
vm [m/s] resulted in appropriate scaling. The
experiments indicated that over-cutting
spillage was positively correlated with the
ratio of the swing velocity vs and the tangential
velocity of the blade tip, whereas under-cutting
spillage remained insensitive to this ratio.
Slotta (1978) utilised the Buckingham Π
theorem to find empirical relations with
the Euler, Reynolds and Froude numbers, a
diameter ratio and a ratio of the rotational
velocity and the mixture velocity. Experimental
data indicated that Reynolds scaling should be
applied for the suction inlet.
Hayes (1986) performed a linear regression
study for dimensionless variable groups
obtained from observed suspended
sediment concentrations resulting from
CSD operations at Calumet harbour (Hayes
et al., 1988). Collins (1995) expanded this
dataset with three field operations and two
experimental studies and performed a similar
linear regression. The improved empirical
model could, however, ‘not explain suspended
sediment variations very well’ (Hayes et al.,
2000). Earlier research by Andrassy et al.
(1988) in which CSD operation parameters
were used in a correlation study for a similar
dataset, was unable to identify statistically
significant relationships.
Hayes et al. (2000) performed a dimensional
criteria study to support a dimensionless
Π theorem to find spillage correlations. The
‘106 observation data set used in this study
represents a too limited range of operating
parameters to generate model applicable
to a wider variety of conditions’, however
reasonable accuracy was obtained for spillage
data. Additional validation is needed to
substantiate the model.
Experimental and numerical findings
A joint research effort from a group of
Dutch contractors united under the name
Combinatie Speurwerk Baggertechniek
(CSB), Ministerial Agency of Public
Works Rijkswaterstaat and research
institute WL|Delft Hydraulics conducted
a series of experiments to gain a better
understanding of the internal flows in and
around the cutter. As summarised by Den
Burger (2003), the experimental results
indicate that the cutter head resembles
a combination of an axial pump as well as
a centrifugal pump. A numerical model
based on Unsteady Reynolds Averaged
Navier Stokes equations by Nieuwboer et
al. (2017) supports the conclusion that flow
patterns can be associated with centrifugal
and axial pump effects. Moreover, the model
indicates that ‘water movement caused by
the passing of the blades does accelerate
the particles outward’ with spillage as a
consequence.
The mixture velocity was varied in the
experiments at WL|Delft Hydraulics.
Depending on the mixture velocity, a
transition value was observed for the
rotational velocity. The data showed that
there is an inward flow along the entire
contour of the cutter head for rotational
velocities below the transition value.
However, above this threshold an outwards
flow near the back plate was observed that
increased with rotational velocity. This
outward flow contains suspended particles
which may not re-enter the cutter head.
Figure 7 schematically depicts the flow
that is generated by these pump effects as
well as the location along the contour line
of the cutter head where inflow reverses to
outflow.
Particle trajectories in the under-cut and
over-cut situation appeared very different.
However, for both situations they
appeared insensitive to variations of the
rotational velocity and mixture velocity.
Also, the ratio of the transition value for
the rotational velocity and the mixture
velocity appeared relatively constant and
identical for the under-cut and over-cut
situation. Den Burger describes that the
rotational velocity and mixture velocity do
influence the magnitude of the velocities
in both situations as was found by Moret
(1977a).
FIGURE 7
Simplified
representation
of flow pattern in
and around the
cutter from a top
perspective.
#153 - WINTER 2018 27
TECHNICAL
Model development
Miedema (2017) and Nieuwboer (2018)
conceptualised a analytical model based on
the observations by Den Burger (2003) and
Nieuwboer et al. (2017). In this article, a heavily
simplified preliminary model is presented in
which only spillage due to centrifugal advection
is considered (S1). A virtual radial discharge
impeller is hypothesised in the cutter head.
The impellers simulate the influence of the
rotation of the cutter head on the hydraulic
transport inside the cutter head. It is assumed
that the cutter head contains infinitely many
virtual impeller blades with infinitesimally
small blade thicknesses. The impellers are
presumed geometrically similar and operated
at dynamically similar conditions.
Similarity of flow
Let us consider flow similitude for a centrifugal
pump, i.e. the ratio of the average fluid velocity c
[m/s] and the tangential impeller velocity u [m/s]
equals a constant dimensionless flow number:
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
=Φ
𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢
(2)
FIGURE 8
Simplified representation of flow pattern in and around the cutter from a
front perspective.
28 TERRA ET AQUA
Where Φ represents the flow number [-]. The
average fluid velocity exits the pump over an
area equal to the circumference of the pump,
multiplied by the impeller width and limited
by a factor fγ [-] that accounts for limitations
to the outflow area, i.e. fγπDb. Assuming
incompressible flow and flow equilibrium,
the fluid velocity inside the volute chamber
follows from volume continuity and reads:
�
��
�� ���
(3)
Where Q is the pump discharge [m3/s], D is the ��� � ��
pump diameter [m] and b the impeller width [m].
The tangential velocity of the impeller is found
through multiplication of the angular velocity
ω [rad/s] and the cutter radius [m] (u=ωD/2).
Substitution of the velocity ratio in equation (2)
and subsequent reordering yields an expression
for the discharge as a function of the angular
velocity as evidenced in equation (4).
𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
� 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏2
𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄 = Φ 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 2 = Φ
4
(4)
Where Φ^ is an adapted flow number [-].
Physically, the coefficient Φ^ can be considered
a dimensionless ratio of the velocity
components in the tangential direction and
the radial direction. The fluid viscosity is
captured by this dimensionless measure.
Centrifugal pump pressure
Simulating a pump effect for the cutter head
requires an expression for the force that is
exerted by the fluid on the hypothetical volute
chamber. This centrifugal force for a rotating
mass is given in equation (5).
���
�
(5)
Where m is the fluid mass (ρπ/4D2b) inside
the cutter [kg] and Ψ is a coefficient that
scales the centroid of the fluid mass [-],
commonly referred to as the dimensionless
head. The meridional exit area A [m2] of the
virtual volute chamber equals πDb, hence the
(2) internal pressure p¯ [Pa] that is exerted on (4)
the volute chamber can be found by again
substituting u=ωD/2
 1 FIGURE 9
�� � � ��� ��
���� �� � �
8 Simplification of the
(6)
Expressions (4) and (6) can be combined in
order to find the volumetric flow rate induced
by the angular velocity of the supposed
centrifugal effect, and rewritten, to find the
induced pressure as a function of the angular
velocity:
� �� �� �
Φ � ���
Ψ
�� � �� �
�
Ψ �� �
�� �
(7)
Distinguishing flow terms
For this preliminary model, a series of
assumptions is made. First, water is taken
incompressible and fluid densities are
considered equal for all flow terms. Second,
hydraulic transport through the bank is
neglected. Third, the open cutter head is
considered a control volume and is divided into
segment (disc) 1 and 2, with the latter closest
to the bank. The interface between these
segments is located at the cutter diameter
where inflow reverses to outflow (see Figure
7). An outflow Q1 [m3/s] at segment 1 may
(partially) return inside the control volume
at segment 2, where an inflow Q2 [m3/s] is
considered.
The volumetric flow rate for the dislodged
bank material into the cutter is Qc [m3/s] and
an independent volumetric flow rate Qm [m3/s]
represents the flow withdrawn by the suction
mouth. Inflows into the control volume will
have a positive contribution and outflows
have a negative contribution. The volume
balance equation for the control volume
reads:   
�� � �� � �� � �� � �    1 [m], D is the average diameter of segment 2
  
(8)
  
Figure 8 schematically represents the flow
  
pattern as found by Den Burger (2003) and
Nieuwboer (2017) with the given volumetric   
flow rates as viewed from above (A) and in
front (B).  
Cutter geometry
In order to describe the flows in this model, the   highly uncommon since the high suction mouth
control volume is heavily simplified by reducing
the cutter head geometry to a segmented
(6)
(7)
cylinder geometry as proposed by Louis (2017).
First, the geometry is reduced to a truncated
cone shape. Next, the cylinder diameters
are found through linear interpolation within
the truncated cone. These diameters are
representative for the flow through the full
heights b1 [m] and b2 [m] of the respective
segments of the cutter as depicted in Figure 9
and expressed in equations (9) and (10).
��
�� � ����� �
� ��� �
(9)
� � ��
�� � ���� � � ��� � [rad] associated with the intersecting
(10)
Where D1 is the average diameter of segment
[m], D is the diameter of the cutter ring [m],
2
ring
D is the diameter of the cutter top [m] and κ
top
represents the angle between the truncated
cone and the cutter ring [deg].
Bank geometry
For simplicity purposes, the cutter head is
considered penetrated in the bank under an
angle λ [deg] of 45 degrees into an inclined
bank angle of 45 degrees. In reality, this is
placement induces rapid redeposition. Figure
10 depicts the cutter placement for this model.
cutter geometry.
The cut off area of the bank Acut [m2] is related to
the placement of the cutter and can be mapped
onto the segmented cutter head shape by
introducing the effective bank height (slope
length) ^h [m], i.e. the height of the bank in the
coordinate system of the cutter. Choosing a
lower bank height h [m] and thus effective bank
height allows for the distribution of cut face
towards segment 1 of the simplified shape. It
is assumed that the tip of the simplified cutter
geometry can be identified as the lower end of
the effective bank height of segment 2 ^h2 [m].
As depicted in Figure 8B, the angle γi
circumference of the cutter and the bank
geometry can be expressed as a function of
the cutter diameter and effective bank height
as evidenced in equation (11). Note that this
equation is only valid when the bank and ladder
angle are equal and for ^h1 < Di/2. Additional
geometry formulations are required for larger
bank heights.
�� 2���
��� � �� � ��� �� � � �� � ��� �� �� � �
2 ��
(11)
Discretisation of the cutter head requires
a geometry criterion to determine segment
contributions to the cut face. Equation (12)
relates a linearised estimation of the cut depth
to the cut off area.
#153 - WINTER 2018 29
 TECHNICAL
FIGURE 10
Schematic
visualisation of the
relation between
bank height and
effective bank
height (b).
���� segment 2 [Pa] can be found using equation
���� �
�� (7). The adapted dimensionless coefficients
(12) are considered equal for both segments by
assuming dynamic similarity of flow, i.e. Reynolds
Where bcut is an estimate for the depth of the number scaling. Note that these pressures p1¯
cut for the given bank-cutter interaction and p2¯ as given below are denoted as negative
[m]. Consequently, a sequence of geometry due to their corresponding velocity directing
expressions allow for the computation of outwards of the control volume.
the parameters relevant to the cutting
Ψ 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝑄𝑄J
contributions of segment 1 and 2 for any given 𝑝𝑝JE =
Φ𝑓𝑓8a 𝑏𝑏J
D1 and D2 as outlined in equation (13) and (14).
���� (16)
, ���� � ��
�� � � ��
� Ψ 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝑄𝑄>
𝑝𝑝>E =
��, ���� � �� Φ𝑓𝑓8 𝑏𝑏>
> the inflow at section 2 affects the assumed
(13) (17)
  0, ���� � ��
In a realistic two-dimensional situation, as
�� � ����� � �
� �� ��
  , ���� � �� depicted in Figure 11A, the pressure p1¯ (navy)
�� and p2¯ (teal) along the segmented control
(14) volume are expected to drop quadratically
upon further propagation into the surrounding
Where ^h1 is de effective bank height of environment of the cutter. In this analytical
segment 1 [m]. Since flows through soil are model, the interaction of the pressures outside
neglected, the active flow contribution areas the control volume is heavily simplified as
of segment 1 and 2 are found using the bank depicted in Figure 11B.
contact angle γi [rad] (see Figure 8B). The
bank contact angle is used to determine the Miedema (2017) proposes a fundamental
dimensionless factor fγ [-] that was introduced pressure assumption for the contour of
to account for the free flow factor of the segment 2 by relating the potentially returning
impeller exit area presented in equation (3). flow from segment 1 to the pressure outside
of segment 2. It is assumed that the pressure
��
�� � � � that is generated by the centrifugal pump
� ��
in segment 1 remains constant over a wide
(15) area beyond the control volume, including
at the boundary of segment 2. The external
Fundamental pressure assumption propagation of the pressure that is generated
The pressures p1¯ and p2¯ on exerted on the internally at segment 2 is neglected outside
virtual volute chambers of segment 1 and of the control volume. Consequently, the
30 TERRA ET AQUA
pressure p2+ [Pa] at the contour of segment 2
is taken as:
��� � ��� � ���
(18)
Justification
Justification of the fundamental assumption
of a uniform pressure contour centered
around the boundary of segment 1 is subject
to discussion. It can be argued that the
square relation between the pressure and the
segment diameter allows for a significantly
larger pressure generation at segment 1,
rendering the generated pressure at section 2
negligible. Second, in reality the dimensionless
^
coefficient Ψ i
from equations (16) and (17)
will be higher for segment 2 due to the fact
that larger impellers are more efficient.
This supports the assumption that p1¯ is
significantly larger than p2¯.
The fundamental pressure assumption can be
undermined upon realisation that the pressures
in segment 1 and 2 are generated with different
densities. The density of the inflow Q2 would
be smaller than that of Q1 due to the fact that (16)
the suspended sediment is larger inside the
control volume and particles may not re-enter
the cutter head. Since p1+ will be generated
with a higher density, the lower density of (17)
propagation of pressure from segment 1.
Additionally, the pressure at segment 1 acts on
the full circumference of the segment, whereas
equation (15) indicates that the acting pressure
at segment 2 is limited by a relatively larger
bank contact area (fγ2 > fγ1). The assumption
should be substantiated with further research
but can be used for a preliminary model.
Derivation of volumetric flow rates
The volumetric flow rate at segment 1 can
be found using the discharge-pressure
relationships of equation (7). Since this model
assumes outflow at segment 1, the vicinity of
segment 1 to the suction mouth requires a flow
condition that guarantees positive or zero flow
despite the suction pressure generated by the
suction inlet.
� �� �� �
Φ
� � �
�� � � Ψ � �� � �
� ��
�� �� � �
(19)
 A B

FIGURE 11

Expected external pressure contours (A) and pressure contours according to Miedema (B).

Flow circulation negligible. Finding an expression for the �

�� � ������ ��
The volumetric flow rate found in equation (19) volumetric flow rate of the suspended sediment
can be adapted to find an expression for the Qc involves determining the flow of sediment (24)
specific flow rate qi per unit height of the cutter that enters the control volume as the cut off
[m2/s]. Implicitly, a function for the difference in area Acut moves through the bank with velocity vs. Where Rpipe is the radius of the suction pipe [m]
specific flow rate can be found as a function of The in situ dredge flow rate is approximated by: and vm the mixture velocity through the suction
the pressure gradient as specified in the latter pipe [m/s]. Figure 12 provides an overview of
expression of equation (20). �� � ���� �� the volumetric flow rates.
� �� �
Φ � �� ��
Φ
� � � � (20)
�� � � ��� � (23) Derivation of segment heights
� ��
Ψ � ��
Ψ
Substitution of equation (19) and (22) in
(20) Production (mixture) flow rate equation (8) results in an equation for the
The volumetric flow rate of the entrained flow volumetric flow rate given as:
With p2+ = p1+ = p1¯ from equation (18), the Qm is subject to variations of the suction inlet
resulting pressure gradient over the boundary velocity and is easily found as:
of segment 2 reads:

��� � ��� � ��� � ��� � ���

FIGURE 12

(21) Final expressions for

volumetric flow rates
Substitution of equation (21) in equation (20) in the cutter control
results in an expression for Q2 as evidenced in volume.
equation (22).

� �� ��
Φ � �� �
Φ
� � � (22)
�� � ��� �� � �
� � ���� � ��� �
� �� � � ��

(22)

In situ dredge flow rate

The in- and outflow of water at the cutter head
due to the swing velocity vs [m/s] is considered

#153 - WINTER 2018 31

 TECHNICAL

� �� �� �
Φ � �� �
Φ FIGURE 13
� � � � � (25)
�� � �� � � ���� � ��� � � �
� �� � �� Example script for
(25) 1 Find A from data computation of
2 Determine h with references to
The objective is to find the location on the 3 Compute ^h = h sin(90 -λ) equation numbers in
contour line where the flow reverses from 4 Compute bcut Eq. (12) parentheses.
inflow to outflow, i.e. the magnitude of the ratio 5 Set convergence coefficient relax
between of b1 and b2. Equation (25) can be 6 Set accuracy coefficient
^ 2
substituted with b2 = b - b1 as well as p1¯ = Ψρω 7 Estimate ^b1
Di from equation (16) and (17). Subsequent
2
8 While error > threshold
^b
isolation of on the left-hand side yields: 9 2
= b - ^b1
10 Compute D1 and D2 Eq. (9) and (10)
1 1
�� �� � � � �� � �� � 11 Compute ^h1 and ^h2 Eq. (13) and (14)
� Φ ���� �
�� � 12 Compute γ1 and γ1 (26) Eq. (11)
�� � �� ��
� � 13 Compute fγ1 and fγ2 Eq. (15)
(26) 14 Compute b1 Eq. (27)
15 error = | b1 - ^b1|
^b ^
Where fD = (D12-D22)/D12 [-]. Finally, equation 16 1
= b1 (1-relax) + b1(relax)
(26) is substituted with Qc and Qm as found in 17 End
equation (23) and (24) respectively to yield an
expression for b1 that is based on geometric
and dimensional operational parameters as
well as the dimensionless number Φ. ^ Since the
segment height cannot be rendered negative
due to the volumetric flow rate Q1, a requirement volumetric flow rates. It was assumed that the Q2 [-] which is assumed zero. This assumption
is set so that b1 > 0. The expression for the height densities of the flow terms are equal. To obtain neglects the effect of suspended particles
of segment 1 is given in equation (27). It can be a representation of spilled sediment, the flow recirculating from segment 2 to segment 1.
concluded that this model suggests an increase terms are retrospectively complemented with
in swing speed promotes spillage, whereas an a concentration measure ci for the amount of As a consequence, the considered mass flow
increase in mixture velocity reduces spillage. suspended solids per unit volume [-]. Caution rate balance reduces to equation (28) from
with the model results should be observed which the concentration c1 directly follows.
Iterative solution since the actual effect of suspended solids The outflow concentration should not exceed
The diameters from equation (27) use on flow density is neglected in this preliminary the inflow concentration, hence a condition is
expressions for the cutter diameters as model. added in equation (29) to maintain sensible
described in equation (9) and (10). This is an results.
implicit problem due to the interdependency It is assumed that hydraulic transport is
of the diameters D1 and D2 and heights b1 and homogeneous in concentration within �� �� � �� �� � �� �� � �
b2 respectively. The solution is found through segment 1, i.e. cm = c1 with c1 being the
iteration of b1 by making use of a threshold concentration of the hydraulic transport (28)
value for accuracy. A solution approach is exiting the cutter head at segment 1 [-] and
�� ��
given in Figure 13. cm being the concentration of the suction � �� � ��
�� � ��� � ��
flow that is sucked up to the vessel [-]. A
�� � �� � ��
Adding suspended sediment concentration cc of the volumetric flow rate
Spillage can be found through the addition of the cut flow is considered [-] as well as a (29)
of suspended sediment to the obtained concentration c2 for the volumetric flow rate
Spillage due to centrifugal advection S1 [-] can
be found by computing:
�� ��
�� �
�� ��

(30)
� �� ���� � ��� ��� � ���� �� � ������
Φ �
��
�
� �� � �
�� � � � ��� � �� � ��� � � Φ
Φ � �� ��� � Which concludes a parameterised analytical
� � �
model for the determination of high rotational
�� �� � �
velocity-induced spillage in which the
(27) pressure-discharge relationships are based on
adapted pump affinity laws.

32 TERRA ET AQUA
 Model calibration
Supported by experiments, Den Burger
(2003) found that particle trajectories in a
CSD are governed by the centrifugal force
Fcf in the cutter [N], the gravitational force Fg
[N] and the product of the particle volume
and hydrodynamic pressure gradient in the
suction mouth Fs [N]. The ratio of these terms
provide a convenient alternative to known
dimensionless scaling coefficients. Since
this model focuses on centrifugal advection
rather than rapid redeposition, the presumed
governing spillage number is taken as the ratio
of centrifugal force and the product of the
particle volume and pressure gradient, i.e:
� �
��� �� ������
∝ � � � ��
�� �� �� �����
(31)
Where ρp is the particle density [kg/m3], ρw is
the water density [kg/m3], Rring and Rpipe are the
cutter ring and pipe radii [m]. In earlier work
by Steinbusch et al. (1999) and Dekker et al.
(2003) the inverse term of the expression
between brackets in equation (31) was
identified as a characteristic flow number for
the ratio of the cutter-induced velocity and
the suction velocity.
Adapted Flow Number
An adapted flow number, θ^ = θ-1 [-], was
specifically deterministic for sand cutting
as evidenced in analyses of experimental
data from Mol (1977a) and Miltenburg (1983)
by Den Burger. Moreover, this number was
proven effective in the validation of a model for
flow velocities in a cutter head as evidenced
by results from Nieuwboer et al. (2017).
Calibration is chosen to be performed using
this adapted flow number, defined as:
� The preliminary model does not differentiate
������
�� � � �� �
(32)
For calibration of the model, a dataset by
Den Burger (2003) is used that contains
production rates corresponding to adapted
flow numbers for sand and rock. Data for rock
were obtained through experiments with gravel
and scaled. An overview of parameters relevant
to experiment data is given in Table 1.
It should be noted that the cutter inclination
angle is non-typical for dredge operations
since that would place the bottom of the
suction mouth high relative to the bank.
Therefore, calibration is hindered as alternative
spillage sources are expected as well.
Den Burger (2003) used the adapted flow
number to perform a polynomial regression
(n=2) to obtain the general trend for the
production ratio η [%] with respect to the
velocity ratio θ^ for an under-cut scenario.
Experiments suggested that for over-
cutting ‘the trend of the production curve
has changed’ and requires further research.
with respect to under- and over-cutting, but
is calibrated on the under-cut experiments
from Den Burger. Calibration is performed
by finding a value for Φ ^ for which spillage as
a function of the velocity ratio follows the
spillage curves from Miltenburg and Den
Burger as found through S1 = 100 - η [%].
According to Nieuwboer et. al (2017), the
dimensionless adapted flow numbers in the
dredging industry have typical values between
1.6 and 3.7.

TABLE 1

Experiment parameters for Miltenburg (1983) and Den Burger (2003). (1)Particle diameter is presumed ‘similar to practice’. (2) Estimation for
segmented values of the model. (3) Estimated value. (4) Only rock density given.

Sand (Miltenburg, 1983) Rock (Den Burger, 2003)

Property Symbol Prototype Experiment Prototype Experiment Units

Particle diameter d50 180E-3(1) 180E-3 80 10 mm

Bed concentration cc 0.4 0.4 0.42 0.42 -

Particle density ρρp 2650 2650 2200 (4)

2650 Kg/m3

Bulk density (wet) ρ(ρb,wet) 2000 2000 2200(4) 2058 Kg/m3

Diameter of the cutter ring Dring 2.80 0.40 3.12 0.4 m

Diameter of the cutter top Dtop 2.11(2) 0.18 2.11(2) 0.28 m

Diameter of the suction pipe Dpipe 0.7 0.1 0.95 0.1 m

Height of the cutter head b 2.5 (2)

0.265 2.50 (2)
0.265 m

Swing velocity vs 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 m/s

Cut off area A 1.4(3) 0.023(2) 1.4(3) 0.03 m2

Bank angle γγ λπ /2 π /2 π /2 π /2 rad

Cutter inclination angle λλ 45 45 45 45 deg

Rotational velocity ωω π 10/3 π π 3π rad/s

Cutting scenario - under-cut under-cut under-cut under-cut -

#153 - WINTER 2018 33

TECHNICAL

A B ^ = 0.26, the model curve as well as the

For Φ
standard deviation σ and double standard
Sand
Sand QmQ[m
m
[m
/s]/s]
3 3
deviation 2σ of the deviation from the
100100
11 11
30 30
8 78 67 65 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 experimental data is plotted. The other
plots represent estimates for a lower (Φ ^=
80 80 20 20
0.25) and upper (Φ = 0.28) bound. The best
Spillage [%]
Spillage [%]

10 10

Error [pp]
Error [pp]
60 60 ^ was visually identified
0 0 approximation for Φ
40 40
-10-10 by searching for the minimum error within
20 20 -20-20 a typical θ^ range of (1.6,3.7) corresponding
0 0 -30-30 to Qm in the range of approximately (3.5,7.5)
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7
[m3/s]. For Φ ^ = 0.26, the error steadily
ˆ θ=ωR
ˆ 3 /Q
θ=ωR 3
/Q ˆ θ=ωR
ˆ 3 /Q
θ=ωR 3
ring ringp p /Q
ring ringp p
remains within the 5 [pp] bandwidth for the
Miltenburg
Miltenburg Model
ModelΦˆ =0.25
Φˆ =0.25
σerror , Φ, =0.26
σerror Φ =0.26 Model
ModelΦˆ =0.28
Φˆ =0.28 applicable interval. Furthermore, the shape
5 [pp]
5 [pp]
error
error
2σ2σ , Φ, =0.26
errorerror
Φ =0.26 Model
ModelΦˆ =0.26
Φˆ =0.26 10 10
[pp]
[pp]
error
error of the model plot appears to resemble that
of the experimental results accurately, i.e.
the model is in good agreement with the
experimental data.

FIGURE 14 Results for rock

Spillage percentage (A) and error [percentage point] (B) vs. adapted flow number θ^ for sand. The same estimation method and
Calibration data from Miltenburg (1983), interpreted by Den Burger (2003). In (B) Qm [m3/s] is visualisation method was used to find the
given for a 3.12 [m] cutter head rotating at 30 [rpm]. model parameter Φ ^ that corresponds best
with scaled experimental data for gravel
from Den Burger (2003) that are scaled
Results for sand as the volumetric flow rate Qm. The mixture to represent the cutting of rock. Figure 15
Figure 14 displays the model results for a flow is found using a typical estimate of displays the model curves (A) and errors (B)
comparison to sand data from Miltenburg 30 revolutions per minute for a large [m] with respect to the experimental data. For
(1983). In Figure 14A, the experimental data diameter cutter head. Note that in this ^ = 0.40, reasonable model accuracy can
Φ
and model results (spillage percentage) ^ refers to the dimensionless
article, Φ be observed for Qm values of approximately
^ are plotted against
of three values for Φ ratio of the velocity components in the (4,6) [m3/s]. Low volumetric flow rates in
the adapted flow number θ. ^ Figure 14B tangential direction and the radial direction the range of (2.5,4) [m3/s] for the suction
displays the error for the plotted models and approximates the centrifugal pump flow are best represented by the model
[percentage point] as a function of θ^ as well effect. with Φ^ = 0.54 since the errors fall within the
10 percentage point bandwidth. However,
the model curve does not follow the
experimental data well.
A B
For higher numbers of the velocity ratio, it
Rock
Rock Qm Q
[mm
[m
3
/s]3/s] can be observed that the spillage ratio is
100100
11 11
30 30
8 7 867 65 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 consistently underestimated for rock. This
20 20
can be explained in a number of ways. First,
80 80
the calibration data includes other spillage
Spillage [%]
Spillage [%]

10 10
Error [pp]
Error [pp]

60 60
0 0 sources of which rapid redeposition may
40 40
-10-10 be most pronounced for rock. Second, the
20 20 -20-20 deviation suggests that the model is not
0 0 -30-30 capable of capturing the full centrifugal
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7
ˆ θ=ωR
ˆ 3 /Q
θ=ωR 3 ˆ θ=ωR
ˆ 3 /Q effect on larger suspended particles.
/Qp
ring ringp
θ=ωR 3
/Qp
ring ringp
Equation (31) can be used to demonstrate
DenDen Burger
Burger Φˆ =0.36
Φˆ =0.36
σerror
σerror,Φˆ ,=0.40
Φˆ =0.40 Φˆ =0.54
Φˆ =0.54 5 [pp]
5 [pp]
error
error
that observations suggest a quadratic
2σerror ,Φ
2σerror Φˆ =0.40
ˆ ,=0.40 ˆ Φˆ =0.40
Φ =0.40 10 10
[pp][pp]
error
error relationship between particle withdrawal
and angular velocity, whereas the spillage
contribution width of b1 equation (27)
only scales linearly with angular velocity.
Last, it is stressed that further research is
FIGURE 15 required to verify the series of assumptions
Spillage percentage (A) and error [percentage point] (B) vs. adapted flow number θ^ for rock in the model and how larger particles are
(scaled gravel). Calibration data from Den Burger (2003). In (B), Qm [m3/s] is given for a 3.12 [m] particularly affected.
cutter head rotating at 30 [rpm].

34 TERRA ET AQUA
Conclusions
An adaptation of a dimensionless velocity
ratio proposed by Steinbusch et al. (1999)
and Dekker et al. (2003) is used as a
governing number for model calibration
using experimental data for sand from
Miltenburg (1983) and rock from Den Burger
(2003). Model parameters were identified
for which sand spillage can be estimated
within a 5 percentage point bandwidth of the
experimental data. Moreover, the shape of
the model plot appears to resemble that of
the data for sand accurately, i.e. the model is a
good tool for a priori spillage calculations. The
model underestimates spillage rates for rock-
sized particles except at relatively low cutter
speeds or high mixture flow rates, suggesting
that either centrifugal advection is not the
main source of spillage or that the model does
not capture the centrifugal pump effect well
for larger particle diameters.
The most fundamental assumption in the
model is the concept that the pressure outside
the cutter is uniform and equal to the pressure
generated near the cutter ring in segment 1.
Furthermore, the model assumes a volumetric
flow rate balance with equal densities for all
flow terms. Currently, only two cutter head
segments are considered. Improvement of the
model can be achieved by incorporating flow
density differences and further discretisation
of the cutter head. In combination with a
further specification of the pressure gradient
along the cutter contour, a highly discretised
cutter with differentiated diameters will
probably yield most accurate results. However,
a reliable estimate of the pressure gradient
used in this pseudo-analytical model can only
be obtained through more elaborate research
methods such as experiments as well as
advanced computational fluid dynamics.
The model calibration is based on a single
cutter geometry as well as a single set of
operational and hydrological parameters.
The influence of other spillage sources that
may contribute concurrently is neglected in
the calibration. In order to substantiate the
model, the model production curves should be
calibrated with a wider variety of geometrical
and operational parameters from different
case studies. Further detailing of the model
parameters is recommended.

Summary
Depending on its size and installed power, a Cutter Suction
Dredger (CSD) is capable of cutting a wide range of soil
types from silts and clays to fractured or solid rocks. Its
high precision allows for utilisation in a variety of dredge
operations including navigational channel deepening,
port construction and pipeline trenching. In spite of being
considered relatively efficient, a CSD can spill significantly.
This article proposes a classification of the concurrent
sources of CSD spillage as well as a analytical model for
a priori computation of spillage due to high rotational
velocity-induced flow.
Den Burger (2003) and Nieuwboer et al. (2017) describe
that the flow inside a cutter head borrows characteristics
from that of within both a centrifugal and axial flow pump.
Based on hypotheses by Miedema (2017) and Nieuwboer
(2018), a preliminary model is established that uses
measurable cutting variables, or a simplification thereof. In
this model, the axial pump effect is not explicitly accounted
for and the pressures exerted on the cutter head contour
are heavily simplified. An adaptation of the flow number
θ^ for the ratio between centrifugal and mixture flow rates
(Steinbusch et al., 1999; Dekker et al., 2003) is used for
model calibration using experimental data for sand from
Miltenburg (1983) and rock from Den Burger (2003).
Model parameters were identified for which sand spillage
can be estimated within a 5 percentage point accuracy for
volumetric mixture flow rates in the range of (3.5,7.5) [m3/s].
Moreover, the plot shape of the model appears to resemble
that of the plot shape for sand closely, i.e. the model is in
agreement with the experimental data. The preliminary
model is not capable of accurately estimating rock spillage
rates over a wide range of the adapted flow number. This
inaccuracy may be ascribed to the concurrence of different
spillage sources. Furthermore, the preliminary model may
not entirely capture the centrifugal effect of the cutter
head for larger grain sizes. Recommendations are given for
further detailing.
First presented as a paper at the WEDA Dredging Summit
& Expo ’18, this article has been published in a slightly
adapted version with permission of the copyright holder,
WEDA.
Citation
Werkhoven, J. J., Nieuwboer, B.J., Louis, A.A., Ramsdell,
R.C., and Miedema, S.A. “A pseudo-analytical model for
CSD spillage due to rotational velocity-induced flow,”
Proceedings of the Western Dredging Association
Dredging Summit & Expo ’18, Norfolk, VA, USA, June 25-28,
2018.

#153 - WINTER 2018 35

TECHNICAL
Jeroen Werkhoven
Jeroen obtained his Civil
Engineering bachelor’s
degree at Delft University of
Technology with a minor in
quantitative economics
from the University of
Melbourne. The complex
balances between
engineering challenges and
cost effectiveness are what
led Jeroen to pursue a MSc
in Offshore and Dredging
Engineering. In 2015, he
co-initiated Project Yogya,
a student-run volunteer
project in Indonesia that
provided the Indonesian
Ministry of Public Works
with a feasibility and
development assessment of
the Yogyakarta harbor. His
graduation research,
commissioned by Great
Lakes Dredge and Dock in
Chicago, focuses on CSD
spillage models.
Improvement of the model can be achieved
by incorporating flow density differences and
further discretisation of the cutter head.
36 TERRA ET AQUA
Bas Nieuwboer
After his MSc in Hydraulic
Engineering at Delft
University of Technology,
Bas accepted a PhD
position at the Dredging
Group in Delft. His work
combines a numerical and
experimental approach to
describe spillage when
cutting rock with cutter
suction dredges. The
experiments are designed
to validate the numerical
model. He therefore
designed a simplified cutter
to measure the fluid
velocities and particle
positions. For the model, he
implemented a method for
modelling big chips of rock in
a rotating cutter using
relatively coarse grids,
allowing the model to
simulate rock trajectories in
the cutter with decent
computation times.
Alden Louis
After obtaining his
bachelor’s degree in
Mechanical Engineering,
Alden acquired an MSc
degree in Offshore and
Dredging Engineering
from Delft University of
Technology in 2017. His
graduation thesis involved
cutter suction spillage
at Great Lakes Dredge &
Dock in Oak Brook, Illinois,
USA. After graduating,
he joined Royal IHC as a
product engineer in the
excavation equipment
group. Within IHC, he is
involved in the design of
cutter heads and dredging
wheel units.  department, Robert’s
Robert Ramsdell
Robert obtained his BA
degree in Mathematics at
the University of California
at Berkeley in 1987. From
1989 through 1996 he
worked for Great Lakes
Dredge & Dock Company
as Field Engineer, and
Project Engineer on a
variety of projects in
the United States and
internationally. In 1996
he joined the Great
Lakes Dredge & Dock
Production Department
as a Production Engineer,
becoming Director of
Production Engineering
Manager in 2005. In the
focus has been on
developing methods and
software for estimating
dredge production,
recruiting and training
Production Engineers,
and developing methods
to analyse and improve
dredge operations.
Sape Miedema
Sape obtained his MSc in
Mechanical Engineering
with honours at the Delft
University of Technology
in 1983 and his PhD in
1987. From 1987 to the
present he has been an
assistant, then associate
professor at the Chair
of Dredging Technology,
then as a member of the
management board of
Mechanical Engineering
and Marine Technology.
From 1996 to 2001 he was
appointed head of studies
of Mechanical Engineering
and Marine Technology,
whilst remaining associate
professor of Dredging
Engineering. In 2005,
he was appointed head
of studies of the MSc
programme of Offshore &
Dredging Engineering and
Marine Technology.
REFERENCES
Andrassy, C. and Herbich, J. (1988)
“Generation of resuspended sediment at
the cutterhead.” The Dock and Harbour
Authority, 68(797), pp. 207–216.
Burger, M. den. (2003)
“Mixture forming processes in dredge cutter
heads.” Ph.D. Dissertation, Delft University
of Technology, The Netherlands.
Becker, J., van Eekelen, E., van Wiechen, J.,
de Lange, W., Damsma, T., Smolders, T.
and van Koningsveld, M. (2015)
“Estimating source terms for far field dredge
plume modelling.” Journal of Environmental
Management, 149, pp. 282-293.
Collins, M. A. (1995)
“Dredging-induced near-field resuspended
sediment concentrations and source
strengths.” Miscellaneous Paper D-95-2,
U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment
Station, Vicksburg, Miss.
Dekker, M. A., den Burger, M., Kruyt, N. P., and
Vlasblom, W. J. (2003)
“Experimental and numerical investigation
of cutter head dredging flows.” Journal
of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean
Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 129(5), pp. 203-
209.
Hayes, D. (1986)
“Development of a near field source strength
model to predict sediment resuspension
from cutter suction dredges.” MS thesis,
Mississippi State University, Mississippi
State, Miss.
Hayes, D. F., Crockett, T. R., Ward, T. J.,
and Averett, D. (2000)
“Sediment Resuspension during Cutterhead
Dredging Operations.” Journal of Waterway,
Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering,
126(3), pp. 153-161
Hayes, D., McLellan, T., and Truitt, C. (1988)
“Demonstrations of innovative and
conventional dredging equipment at
Calumet Harbor, Illinois.” Miscellaneous
Paper EL-88-1, U.S. Army Engineer
Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg,
Miss.
Nakai, O. (1978)
“Turbidity generated by dredging projects.”
Proc., 3rd U.S./Japan Experts Meeting, U.S.
Army Engineer Water Resources Support
Center, Ft. Belvoir, Va.
Joanknrecht L.W.F., (1976)
“A review of Dredge Cutter Head Modeling
& Performance.” Proceedings WODCON VII,
San Francisco, California, USA, pp. 995-
1016.
Louis, A.A. (2017).
“Cutter Suction Spillage.” MSc Thesis,
Delft University of Technology, Delft, The
Netherlands.
Miedema, S.A. (2017, November 11)
Personal correspondence.
Miltenburg, C.J.M. (1983)
“Stroming en mengselvorming in grote
snijkoppen (Flow and Mixture Forming in
large cutterheads).” Laboratoriumopdracht
La0/8/101, Laboratory of Soil Transportation,
Delft University of Technology, Delft, The
Netherlands. (in Dutch).
Mol, A. (1977a)
“Stroombeeld rond en in Cutter deel II: vrij
in water draaiend; injekties met kleurstof
(Flow around and in a cutter head part
II: freely rotating in water; injections with
dye).” WL|Delft Hydraulics BAGT 236, The
Netherlands. (in Dutch).
Moret, G.E. (1977a)
“Stroombeeld rond en in Cutter deel I:
Stroombeeld rondom cutter bij kunstmatige
taluds; injekties met kleurstof (Flow around
and in a cutter head part II: flow around
cutter head placed in an artificial bank;
injections with dye).” WL|Delft Hydraulics
BAGT 235, The Netherlands. (in Dutch).
Ngan-Tillard, D., Haan, J., Laughton, D.,
Mulder, A. and Nooy van der Kolff, A. (2009)
“Index test for the degradation potential
of carbonate sands during hydraulic
transportation.” Eng. Geol., 108(1-2), pp.
54-64
Nakai, O. (1978)
“Turbidity generated by dredging projects.”
Proc., 3rd U.S./Japan Experts Meeting, U.S.
Army Engineer Water Resources Support
Center, Ft. Belvoir, VA, USA.
Nieuwboer, B.J. (2018, March 6)
Personal correspondence.
Nieuwboer, B.J., Keetels, G.H.,
van Rhee., C. (2017)
“Flow velocities in an axi-symmetrical
rotating cutter suction head”. 18th
International Conference on Transport and
Sedimentation of Solid Particles, Prague,
Czech Republic
Slotta, L.S. (1968)
“Flow visualization techniques used in
dredge cutter head evaluation.” Proceedings
of WODCON II 1968, Rotterdam, The
Netherlands, pp. 56-77.
Steinbusch, P.J., Vlasblom, W.J., den Burger,
M. and Kruyt, N.P. (1999)
“Numerical Simulation of the Flow
Generated by Cutter Heads.” Slurry Handling
and Pipeline Transport, 14th International
conference, Hydrotransport 14, Maastricht,
The Netherlands.
van Rhee, C. (2015)
“Slope stability by unstable breaching.”
Proceedings of the institution of Civil
Engineers – Maritime Engineering, 168(2),
pp. 84-92.
Vlasblom, W.J. and van Hemmen, A.J.M.
(2006)
“The Shape of and the Position of Teeth on a
Cutter Head. The background information.”
CEDA Dredging Days 2006 - Protection
of the Coastline. Dredging and Sustainable
Development, Tangier, Morocco.
#153 - WINTER 2018 37
 BOOK REVIEW

DREDGING FOR
SUSTAINABLE
INFRASTRUCTURE

This book’s presented insights result from a wealth of

knowledge pooled by a team of scientists and
practicing industry experts which has been moderated
by an Editorial Board comprised of CEDA and IADC
representatives.

Project owners, regulators, consultants, designers and

contractors looking for an up-to-date reference of
solutions for designing, implementing and managing
water infrastructure projects with a dredging
component should find this guidebook to be an
essential tool.
With growing environmental awareness and
increasing climate pressures on low-lying
deltas, modern-day society puts incredibly
strong demands on the sustainability of water
infrastructure projects. Classic approaches
towards the design and implementation of
such projects no longer suffice in satisfying
these demands.
Radically different methods are needed
which demand multidisciplinary project
teams to adopt entirely new ways of thinking,
acting and interacting. Application of these
new methods results in innovative water
infrastructure solutions that meet the
primary functional requirements while at the
same time delivering added value for nature
and society as an inherent part of project
development.
Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure
promotes marine infrastructure projects
with a dredging component, that full their
primary functional requirement, while adding
value to the (natural and socio-economic)
system. Whether the project is a port
development, river deepening, canalisation,
flood defence measure or reclamation, this
publication promotes the message that
through a thorough understanding of these
Lead Authors: Stefan Aarninkhof, Polite
Laboyrie and Mark van Koningsveld
Publisher: CEDA/IADC
Published: November 2018
Price (Hardcover): € 150.00
Price (Digital): € 97.50
ISBN: 978-90-9031318-4
Available from
www.sustainabledredging-book.com
systems and with proactive engagement of
stakeholders throughout a project’s phases,
a value-added project can be successfully
achieved.
Implementation of water infrastructure
involving dredging has traditionally been an
essential activity in civilisation’s development
and prosperity. By excavating material from

38 TERRA ET AQUA
the sea, river or lake bed and its relocation
elsewhere, dredging has an environmental
impact. It has also been recognised as a useful
tool for remedying historic environmental
interferences, such as contaminated
sediments resulting from industrial discharges.
More recent approaches look beyond the
scope of isolated dredging activities and
embrace a wider context, considering water
infrastructure development projects as an
opportunity to also add value to the natural
and socio-economic systems in order to
achieve more sustainable projects.
The international dredging community has
shifted from mainly dealing with negative
impacts – often at the end of the project
design and the start of the construction
phase – towards a much more proactive
approach where water infrastructure
projects are being considered as part of the
natural and socio-economic system in which
they are situated, and stakeholders are
being engaged much earlier in the project
development process to facilitate the
search for opportunities to create
added value.
This change in attitude has a huge influence
on the initiation, planning and design,
execution and maintenance of water
infrastructure projects. Comprehensive
guidance on how to bring this into
practice has been lacking. A wide range of
professionals have attempted to collect
and integrate their experiences and best
practices to deliver this state-of-the-art
guidance book.
Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure aims
to provide answers to the following questions:
• What is the role of dredging in the
global drive for more sustainable
development?
• How can we design more sustainable
infrastructure that aligns with the
natural and socio-economic system?
• How can we assess and stimulate
the potential positive effects of
infrastructure development and
compare these with the potential
negative effects?
• What equipment and which sediment
management options do we have?
• What tools and information do we
have to make choices and control the
process?
Armed with the latest developments and
a comprehensive analysis of the social,
environmental and economic costs and
benefits of a project, readers can ensure
their projects are technically better,
financially attractive and more acceptable
to stakeholders. This book offers applicable
background information, relevant examples
and informative case studies to help
understand the process. With evidence
from finished projects, this book proves how
the sustainability of water infrastructure
projects is increased in practical terms by
using dredging solutions. It shows how a
proactive design can mean that the overall
value of the project, in terms of the range
of services it provides, can be increased,
costs, both monetary and non-monetary (e.g.
environmental impacts) can be reduced, and,
how the three pillars of sustainability can
expect a more balanced distribution of the
value and costs of the project. A number of
key projects realised over the last ten years
show this.
The book is structured as a timeline of the
design and execution of a dredging project
while also allowing readers to go straight to
the chapters or sections of direct interest
This change in
attitude has a huge
influence on the
initiation, planning
and design, execution
and maintenance of
water infrastructure
projects.
#153 - WINTER 2018 39
BOOK REVIEW

to them and be read independently. For a

reader-friendly publication, terminology
and technical language is consistent and
simplified without losing meaning or technical

Editorial
content. Key topics which emerge during a
marine infrastructure project are addressed

Committee
including:
• Integrating dredging into sustainable
development
• Sustainability in project initiation,
planning and design
• Assessment and management of Polite Laboyrie
sustainability Witteveen + Bos
• Equipment and methods www.witteveenbos.com
• Dredged material management
• Models and tools Mark van Koningsveld
• Monitoring and data Van Oord
www.vanoord.com
Chapter 2 describes the aim of the book Delft University of Technology
and the principles of sustainability and www.tudelft.nl
their implications for a dredging project.
Clear guidance is given on how to make Stefan Aarninkhof
sustainable outcomes happen. The aim Delft University of Technology
is to create added value for the society in www.tudelft.nl
dredging and placement projects based Royal Boskalis Westminster
on thorough understanding of the natural https://boskalis.com
system, including hydrology, ecology, and
morphology, nature-based solutions and Marcel Van Parys
proactive engagement of stakeholders. In the Jan De Nul Group
design phase, all the decisions and choices www.jandenul.com
that influence the outcome and effects of
a project will be taken and are outlined in Mark Lee
Chapter 3, which also explains how to design HR Wallingford
the project while creating added value. www.hrwallingford.com

The dredging process and dredging machines Anders Jensen

are the focus of Chapter 5. It describes how Danish Hydraulic Institute
dredging machines carry out their work, what www.dhigroup.com
effects this may have on the environment
and how these effects may be mitigated or Anna Csiti
eliminated. After dredging, the material has Central European Dredging Association
to be managed. How this is done and the https://dredging.org
options available, for example, beneficial use,
aquatic deposition and even, when needed, René Kolman
treatments are described in Chapter 6. It International Association of Dredging
also details the positive and negative effects Companies
of these approaches. In Chapters 4, 5 and www.iadc-dredging.com
6, the effects of the dredging are explained,
and the models needed to determine these
effects are outlined in Chapter 7. Monitoring
plays an important role in the whole life
cycle of a dredging project. Monitoring gives
information regarding the present state of the
environment of the project and if the changes
are what is expected. The available tools and
the conditions to use these tools are given in
Chapter 8.

40 TERRA ET AQUA
EVENTS
NETWORK TO
EXCHANGE
KNOWLEDGE
Meet international stakeholders involved in the
many facets of marine infrastructure projects.
The Tenth International Conference
on Remediation and Management of
Contaminated Sediments
11-14 February 2019
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
www.battelle.org/newsroom/conferences/
sediments-conference
Battelle’s Tenth International Conference
on Remediation and Management of
Contaminated Sediments settles in New
Orleans for a four-day forum to share
research results, practical experiences
and opportunities dedicated to restoring
the environmental and economic vitality of
waterways. As many stakeholders are needed
for the management of aquatic systems due
to diverse environmental, economic, political
and social aspects, this conference serves
as a forum to discuss these complex issues.
Opportunities for networking will be integrated
into the programme to facilitate interaction.
A programme of 13 short courses, 43 technical
sessions, 78 exhibitors and the introduction of
11 learning lab demonstrations will collectively
reflect emerging issues and initiatives in
sediments remediation and management and
serve to expand upon the programme of 2017’s
conference. Previous conferences have had an
international audience of scientists, engineers,
regulators, remediation site owners and other
environmental professionals representing
universities, government agencies, consultants,
and R&D and service firms.
WODCON XXII
22-26 April 2019
Shanghai International Convention Center
Shanghai, China
http://woda.org/wodcons/
A World Dredging Congress (WODCON)
is organised by the World Organization of
Dredging Associations every three years.
Hosted by the Eastern Dredging Association
(EADA) and the China Dredging Association
(CHIDA), WODCON XXII is a five-day congress
set to take place in Shanghai, a city which
serves as China’s financial, trade and shipping
centre and is the leading city in the Yangtze
River Economic Belt.
The congress’s theme, Enhance the Harmony
between Dredging and Ecology, aims to
encourage harmonious development between
dredging and natural ecology. Presentations
will share successful dredging projects
realised throughout the world as well as the
results of dredging technology and equipment
innovation. A visit to Yangshan Deepwater
Port – the world's largest automated terminal
and deep-water port – and China's dredging
development achievements exhibition is part
of the programme. Experts and members of the
international and Chinese dredging industry
will be in attendance.
#153 - WINTER 2018 41
EVENTS
WEDA Dredging Summit & Expo ’19
4-7 June 2019
Hilton Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA
https://dredging-expo.com
Organised by the Western Dredging
Association (WEDA), the Dredging Summit &
Expo ’19 is a technical conference which will
descend on downtown Chicago. With a theme
of Waves of Change: Oceans of Opportunity,
topics will emphasise the importance of
understanding and development of solutions
for problems related to the protection and
enhancement of the marine environment
as well as improving communications,
technology transfer, and cooperation among
associations and societies. The annual three
day forum will offer high quality presentations
and an exhibition with over 90 exhibitors. A
lively social programme with ice breakers, ice
cream socials and gala dinners is planned.
Photo Mees van den Ekart
42 TERRA ET AQUA
Representing all facets of the dredging dredging technology providers, harbour
industry, attendees will convene and share & port representatives, consultants, port
knowledge on dredging, navigation, marine engineers, hydrographic surveyors and
engineering and construction. The audience geologists, environmental managers,
will be comprised of contractors working in infrastructure managers, public authorities,
dredging, navigation, coastal and inland flood suppliers, universities, research institutes,
protection, deep-sea mining, offshore wind civil engineers, and geotechnical engineers.
energy, and oil and gas production fields as
well as marine engineers, manufacturers,
Hosted by CEDA and IADC, the Dredging for
Sustainable Infrastructure Conference brought
together presenters to share with attendees their
expertise about four of the book’s key enablers: using
an ecosystems approach, investing in stakeholder
engagement, applying adaptive management and
seeking win-win solutions through beneficial use of
sediments. Following each presentation, the audience
participated in four diverse activities designed to
apply the knowledge through a series of challenges
with choices. Participants were invited to leave behind
their chairs, move around the room, form groups,
discuss and weigh options, make informed decisions
and even compete against other groups
in mock situations. A microphone was
tossed among participants so they could
share their ideas with everyone.
A lively social programme with
ice breakers, ice cream socials
and gala dinners is planned.
 MEMBERS

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. Hyundai Engineering & Penta-Ocean

Head office The Netherlands Construction Co., Ltd. Head office Japan
+31 78 6969 000 Head office South Korea +81 3 3817 7181
royal@boskalis.com +82 2 746 1114 poc_international_web@mail.penta-ocean.
www.boskalis.com webmaster@hdec.co.kr co.jp
www.hdec.co.kr www.penta-ocean.co.jp
DEME Group
Head office Belgium Jan De Nul Group TOA Corporation
+32 3 250 5211 Head office Luxembourg Head office Japan
info@deme-group.com +352 39 89 11 +81 3 6757 3800
www.deme-group.com info@jandenulgroup.com webmaster@toa-const.co.jp
www.jandenul.com www.toa-const.co.jp
Dutch Dredging
Head office The Netherlands National Marine Dredging Van Oord
+31 184 411 999 Company Head office The Netherlands
info@dutchdredging.nl Head office United Arab Emirates +31 88 8260 000
www.dutchdredging.nl/en +971 2 5130000 info@vanoord.com
nmdc@nmdc.ae www.vanoord.com
Gulf Cobla (L.L.C.) www.nmdc.com
Head office United Arab Emirates
+971 4 803 7777
gc-info@gulfcobla.com
www.gulfcobla.com

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 IADC

ALWAYS
READY
TO MEET NEW
­CHALLENGES

IADC stands for ‘International Association of Dredging Companies’

and is the global umbrella organisation for contractors in the private
dredging industry. IADC is dedicated to promoting the skills, integrity
and reliability of its members as well as the dredging industry in
general. IADC has over one hundred main and associated members.
Together they represent the forefront of the dredging industry.

www.iadc-dredging.com

1 TERRA ET AQUA